'Puff Daddy' is cleared over shooting in club

SEAN "Puff Daddy" Combs emerged triumphant from Manhattan's federal court last night after being acquitted on five charges of possessing guns and bribery.

Cheers went up in the heavily guarded courtroom from 31-year-old Combs's supporters as the verdict was read out and the hip-hop star was hugged by his lawyers. His bodyguard, Anthony "Wold" Jones, was also acquitted. But Combs's musical protege, Jamal Shyne Barrow was convicted of first degree assault. He faces up to 25 years in prison.

Emerging to banks of cameras, Combs, dressed in a pearl white suit, said: "I just want to say I give all glory to God." He also thanked his mother and God for "bringing me three great lawyers". On the night of Dec 27, 1999, Combs, Lopez and their bodyguards visited Club New York, near Times Square. A dispute broke out between some of the club's other patrons and Combs's entourage. Money was thrown into the air and shots were fired.

In his testimony, Combs said he feared the shots were being aimed at him. He and Lopez were bundled out of the nightclub into a car. His chauffeur, Wardell Fenderson, then drove through several red lights before pulling over for police. Prosecutors claimed that a gun was thrown from the car. Fenderson testified that after Combs's party was taken to a police station, the rapper asked him to claim that the gun was his, offering him a ring, given to him by Lopez, as collateral for a bribe.

During their deliberations, the jury asked to re-hear a telephone message left for Fenderson by Combs a few days after the shooting. The trial lasted six weeks and included 60 witnesses and 126 exhibits. To the dismay of some, Miss Lopez was not called to testify. While the jury deliberated, Combs sat in the empty courtroom reading The Celestine Prophecy, a new age bestseller. During breaks, he appeared in the corridor outside and signed autographs.

Thirty marshals filled the courtroom before the verdict was read, fearful of the reaction of Combs's noisy supporters, many of whom came dressed in the heavy gold jewellery and leathers that rappers favour.

The first verdicts read out were Barrow's, casting the defence team into gloom. When the Combs verdict was given, Judge Charles Solomon ordered the rapper's friends to calm down. His defence team, which included Johnnie Cochrane, the lawyer who defended O J Simpson, argued that Combs was being dragged through court in large part because he was rich and famous.